Sediment removal device



Aug. 25, 1959- T. R. SMITH 2,900,812

SEDIMENT REMOVAL DEVICE Filed May 28, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mum-orThomae Qsmil'h g il U/Ifl/AIIIIIIIIIIII lm Aug. 25, 1959 Filed May 2a,1956 T. R. SMITH SEDIMENT REMOVAL DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5m rw Aug. 25,1959 T. R. SMITH SEDIMENT REMOVAL DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 28,1956 United States Patent SEDIMENT REMOVAL DEVICE Thomas R. Smith,Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, acorporation of Delaware Application May 28, 1956, Serial No. 587,718

6 Claims. (Cl. 68-23) This invention relates to an automatic washingmachine of the vertical axis type in which an upstanding perforateclothes receptacle or tub is rotated relative to a nonrotatable outertub closely encompassing that clothes receptacle. In this type ofwashing machine sand or heavy sediment shaken loose from clothing withinthe clothes receptacle during the first agitation period of the washingcycle passes through the inner perforate clothes receptacle and settlesat the bottom of the outer imperforate tub prior to being flushed fromthat outer tub during the centrifugal extraction operation following theagitation period.

In the operation of such a machine it has been found that the sand andheavy sediment shaken loose from the clothing within the clothesreceptacle is normally deposited rather uniformly on the inside surfaceof the bottom wall of the outer tub during the agitation period.However, during the subsequent centrifugal extraction period when thewashing fluid is pumped from the machine to flush away the sand andsediment, not all of the sand and sediment has always been flushedthoroughly from the machine during that operation. This insuificientflushing action has been attributed to the spiral fluid currentscirculating between the bottom walls of the clothes receptacle and-theouter tub during the centrifuging operation when the clothes receptacleis rotated relative to the outer tub. These fluid currents reverse theirdirection near the axis of rotation of the clothes receptacle and nearthe periphery of that receptacle caus ing the heavier particles in thesefluid currents to settle out at these two reversal points. Since theinside periphery of the outer tub is more vigorously flushed by movementof the rotating fluid than is the central area, that peripheral gutterarea is flushed more thoroughly than the central area which receives aringlike deposit around the axis of the revoluble clothes receptacledrive shaft.

It is therefore a purpose of this invention to prevent sand or heavysediment from being deposited in this central zone or other areas of theouter tub of the type washing machine described. This is accomplished inthis invention by placing a baffle plate between the perforate clothesreceptacle and the outer imperforate tub with that bafl'le platecovering the drain port leading from the tub; The outer periphery of thebaflie plate is sealed and fastened to the inner side wall of the outertub While the radial edges of that baflle plate are so shaped tocooperate with the bottom Wall of the outer tub to form an eflluentchannel communicating with the tub drain at one end and provided with athroat at its opposite end in the region of the axis of rotation of theclothes receptacle. With this construction the sand settles in much thesame manner during the agitation period as it does without the benefitof the baffle plate but once the receptacle is rotated, a major portionof the water and sand is removed from the tub through this channel'sothat the central area is quite vigorously flushed to scour the sand andsediment away from the central zone and eliminate the problem ofsediment deposits in that area. The depending side flanges of the baflleplate are provided with openings over the peripheral gutter area of theouter tub so that a smaller portion of the water and sand circulatingaround the inner periphery of the outer tub is permitted to pass throughthese openings and scour the inner periphery of that tub member prior topassing through the tub drain port.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially broken away, showing a washingmachine of the vertical axis type incorporating my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing thepositioning of the baffle plate at the lower portion of the outer tub;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the baffle plate which is placedbetween the inner clothes receptacle and the outer imperforate tub;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the central portion of thetub structure of the washing machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a tub assembly without a baffle plateand showing the normal sediment deposit pattern produced during theagitation period of the operational cycle;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view similar to that of Figure 6 showing thesediment deposit pattern formed during the centrifugal extractionoperation and indicating generally the fluid current paths causing suchsediment deposits; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the construction shown in Figure 3and illustrating the various paths taken by the fluid in its exit fromthe outer tub resulting in the desired scouring action of the improvedtub assembly.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown a base frame 10 mounted onadjustable feet 11 and provided with a supporting dome 12 rising out ofa centrally located depression 13 inbase frame 10. Dome 12 serves as amounting for a drive assembly 14 such as that disclosed in the John D.Goodlaxson application, Serial No. 505,231, filed May 2, 1955, andassigned to the same assignee as that of the instant application.

Base frame member 10 also supports the up-ended reversible motor 15 andthe water pump 16 which, like drive assembly 14, is driven by motor 15through belt 17 on the under side of base frame 10. Numeral l9designates the groove of pulley 18 which serves as the input member forthe drive assembly 14.

Cabinet 21, attached to and enclosing base frame 10 together with thedrive and tub assemblies supported thereby, is provided at its upper endwith a depending annular flange 22 defining an access opening into thewashing machine apparatus which is normally covered by access door 24.

In Figure 1 it can be seen that dome 12 in base frame 16 is providedwith friction pads 26 at its periphery adjacent the opening 27 in itsuppermost portion. An umbrella-like support member 28 rests on thesefriction pads 26 and is provided with three equally spaced ears 2? forthree centering springs 31 which are fastened to brackets 32 connectedto base frame 10. This arrangement centers support member 28 on dome 12and restrains it from rotation relative to base frame 16.

Threaded into the umbrella support member 28 is a member 34 ofsubstantially frusto-conical configuration which serves as a housing fordrive assembly 14 of the previously identified Goodlaxson applicationSerial No. 505,231. Housing member 34 cooperates with umbrella supportmember 28 by gripping the outer race of a thrust bearing 35 which isprovided with a tapered inner race. Mating with and seated in thistapered inner raceof bear -41: ...c c. 3.. ing35'is' the spin tube orshaft 37 whichjour'iial's' a pbw'er shaft 38 also extending intothedn've assembly 14. With this construction all weight placed on the spintube 37, housing 34-and'on umbrella'member 'ls maybe "ii'sd"to anadvantage to provide ample frictional forces'btween umbrella member28'a'nd the frietionpads26 fdr dampeningnutational move'ments'of theshafts 37am ssreiativeto dorne 12-while'permittin'g rotational movementof spiir=tube-'37 in'thrust bearing 35.

While the-details of the Goodlaxson assembly -foi'ining the basis of thepreviously identifiedapplication' Serial No;'*505;23 l are not'essentialto the constfuctidiibfthe instant invention,its operation can' bebriefly explained for environmental purposes. Upon energization'ofrn'otor -15 -ina direction'to'i'otate pulley 18in a counterclock--wise direction as viewed from' the botto'r'iibf Figured, power shaft 38is rotated in this"same"direction While spin shaft 37 is held againstrotation by appropriatebraking mechanism within housing 34. Upon thereversal of motor-15, spin shaft 37 is released for-rotation to'allowshafts 37 and-38 to be spun in unison in a clockwise direction.

- With the drive and support constructions set forth above, it can beseen that shafts 37 and 38 may be selectively rotated as determined bythe direction 'of'rotation imparted to pulley 18 while permittingtheirnutation about a vertical axis at all times. "'In thew'ashingmachine illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, shafts '37 and38 nutate on a point determined by the'inte'rse'ction of th'e'verticalaxis of rotation with a horizontal plane bisecting groove-19 of pulley18. Now with reference'to the tub assembly, it'will be noted thatumbrella support member 28 'is provided'with three recessed upstandinglugs 41 spaced equally from each other and alternately around member 28with respect to'the three ears29.. "While not entirely obviousfromFigure 1, it willbe apparent from this description that there arethree lugs 41' spaced 120 from each other each of which is 60 removedfrom an adjacent car 29. we Fastened within-the recessed lugs'41fby'connectors 42 are'three tub brace members 43 which are, in'thise'mbodirncnt, of channel-like cross. section. Braceme'mbers 43 extendoutwardly and upwardly from umbrella support member 28 to join thenonrotatableimperforate outer tub 44 through tub connectors 45 toform' an'inverted tripod support for tub'44. The tub'44 is provided with abottom wall 47 in which is formeda C-shaped gutter'48 having itslowermost portionconverging into the drain outlet 49wl1ich in turncommunicates with the water pump 16through the flexible drain hose 51.

The non-rotatable outer tub 44 is provided'with" a removable crown 52which permits removal of the rotat able inner clothes receptacle or tub'53 nested within tub 44. Clothes receptacle 53 has a perforate bottomwall 54 and aperforate cylindrical side wall 55 which carries a concreteinertia ring 56 at its' uppermostend. A conventional oscillating typeagitator 57'is mounted within the inner tub or basket 53 to provide thepropenagitation of fabrics placed within the tub assembly thus formed. 61 In order to drive agitator 57 during the agitation cycle andreceptacle 53 during the fluid extraction cycle, thefollowing-connections to the drive assembly 14 are provided. Spin tube37, extending into .drive assembly- 14, carries at its upper end thelower gear case cover 58 which in turn is'bolted to the'upper gearcasecover carrying counterweight 61 which balancesthe conventionalmotion converting unit housed by covers 58 and and driven by power shaft38'. a

In Figure 5 the upper gear case cover 59 is shown provided with amounting stem 64 extending upwardly in a coaxial relationship to spinshaft37 withwhich it forms a unitary extension. (The structure not shownto the left of the centerlineof agitator shaft 87 in Figure 5 is-symhangars)"Mannin ster n 64 carries a bearing spacer -tion of rubbersleeve 69"defines an oilres'ervoir 70'which carries wicking 71 incontact with the sintered bushing 67 to provide the latter member-withlubricant at alltiines. Rubber sleeve 69 fits into a centrally locatedopening formed by the upstanding flange 72 in the bottom'tub wall 47 toallow the bearing structure, just described to align itself with themounting stem 64.

Flange 72 in wall 47 is encircled by a boot seal 73 which has its lowerend clamped around flange 72 and its upper end 'p'rovide'dwith acarbonnose seal ring 74. "'Spring 75 within the boot seal 73 urges nose ring'74 upwardly 'againsta smooth sealing surface provided 'by the annulus76depending from theflanged tubcarrier' membef 77 whichis threaded ontomountingstern 64 in abutting relationship to the upper end of spacersleeve 65.' This sealing engagement between ringjt a nd annulus 76provides a water tight sealfor the mounting stem 64 while permittingrelative movements to place between the inner tub 53 and the outertubHowever, if fluids do seep betweensealing ring 74 and annulus 76, theywill flow downwardly througlr the vertical drain ports formed betweenupstanding flangeJZ and' the rubbersleei e' "69 bylneans of the grooves78 located about the upper portion ofthe lattermember as indicatedgenerally in Figure 5. V e V N Referring no to the means forconnectirlgthe inner tub or receptacle 53 to themounting stem 64, itwill be notedthat the flange 79 of tub carrier 77 is substantially offrusto-conical cross section with a slight radius being fornied'in itsperipheral portion to form a non-linear taper and to provi de asupporting seat for the inner tup 53'. 'Tub'53' in turn is formed withan apertured re entrant portion 81locat e diin the central portion ofits basement 54 and formed with substantially the same configuration thettibmounting flange 72. i This reentrant portion 81 i s providedwithcent lly located inwardly directed horizontal flange 82 wh1chstrengthens the circularopening through which carrier 77 prdtrudesfSince, in actual construction of this tub assembly, inner tub 5 3 isporcelain enamelled while carrier 77 is formed of aluminum, a corkgasket 8 3 js cemented on'the'periphery of flange 7 9 to prqyide awater-tighf seal and to assure a more uniform unit load; ing betweenthese parts. Gasket 83 a lso providesj a better frictional engagementbetween carrier 77 and tub 53 to prevent relative movement between theseparts during the operation of the machine incorporating, thisconstruction." j .y A v Clothes receptacle '53 is wedged against flange7,9 as shown generally in Figures l and 5. These figures show clampwasher 84'as havinga flanged central apertured portion with a bodytapered to produce a contour similar to that of reentrant portion 81.The periphery of washer 8 4 defines arolled edge which facilitatesremoval bf washer 84 from-tub 53 and prevents its gouging the'surface'of tub-member'once the'tub mounting is assembledf *The large nut'85 threadedon the upper portion'of carrier 77 is tightened onto thelatter member so ast'd transmit forces produced by such "a tighteningaction through the'centrally located horizontal flanged portion ofwasher 84 and then into reentrant portion'81 through the tapered bodyportion of .the washer'84. with mit' 85 I tightened against clamp washer84 receptacle "'53" becomes a unitary assembly with mounting stem 64 andspinshaft 37. g i -:Now withreference to the drive' te agitator" 57}that agitator member is splined to the upper end of agitator shaft 87which receives its rocking movements from the conventional motionconverting unit housed between the gear housing covers 58 and 59 anddriven by the proper shaft 38. Agitator shaft 87 is journalled inhearing 88 which is seated in the recessed upper end of mounting stem64. Collar 89, pinned to shaft 87, prevents downward movement of shaft87 in an axial direction.

Upon rotation of drive assembly pulley 18 by motor in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed from the bottom of Figure 1, spin shaft '37 will bebraked by mechanism within assembly 14 while power shaft 38 will causeagitator shaft 87 to oscillate agitator 57 within tub 53 in aconventional manner during the agitation periods. Upon reversal of motor15 during the centrifugal extraction periods, pulley 18 will driveshafts 37 and'38 in unison to extract fluids from damp fabrics withinthe revoluble receptacle 53 by means of the connection existing betweentub 53 and spin shaft 37. While mounting stem 64 may move slightly inthe selfaligning bearing structure within flange 72 to produce relativemovement between tub 53 and carrier 77 during the centrifugal extractionperiod, the flexible boot seal 73 will maintain a fluid tight seal withannulus 76 at all times.

During the agitation periods the conventional oscillatory movement ofagitator 57 effects the desired separation of impurities from soiledgarments agitated in the washing fluid within the clothes receptacle 53.Some of these impurities go into solution or into suspension with thewashing fluid while other heavier types of impurities, such as sand,gravitate into tub 44 through the perforate bottom wall 54 and perforateside wall 55 of inner tub 53. Once these heavier particles enter tub 44,it is desirable that they remain in that outer tub during the remainderof the agitation period and then be completely flushed from that outertub at the beginning of the following spin or centrifugal extractionperiod when receptacle 53 is rotated.

In practice, without the benefit of the sand baffle plate structureforming the crux of this invention, some of these sand particles havenot always been completely flushed from tub 44 during the centrifugalextraction period as desired. Instead, these residual sand particleshave passed through the perforate bottom wall 54 of clothes receptacle53 and have been deposited rather uniformly over the sloping tub bottomwall 47 while accumulating to a somewhat greater degreen in gutter 48during the agitation period as shown at A in the diagrammatic sectionalview of Figure 6 which represents a tub assembly not equipped with asand baffle plate structure. During the centrifugal extraction periodfollowing the agitation period the rotation of the clothes receptacle 53relative to tub 44 caused the water currents to spiral around tub 44beneath the perforate bottom wall 54 to trace the paths generally shownin the diagrammatic view of Figure 7. As apparent from Figure 7 thesespiraling currents traced a path beneath the receptacle bottom wall 54toward the rotational axis of receptacle 53 at B before reversing towardthe peripheral gutter area at C where flow again was reversed. Whileother current flows were produced, these spiral currents produced thegreatest sand deposit problems since the current flow indicated beneathreceptacle 53 in Figure 7 caused the sand to settle out at the reversalpoints B and C. While rotational and centrifugal forces acted on sandparticles at point C to reduce possibilities of sedimentation at thispoint, the flushing action at point B was much less than at point C andwas insuflicient to achieve a complete scouring of that central area.This resulted in the formation of a ring around the boot seal 73 evenafter the complete washing operation had been completed. This sedimentring, while being difiicult to remove during the centrifugal extractionperiods, sometimes recirculated within the receptacle 53 to contaminatesubsequent loads of fabrics. In addition, the accumulation of theseabrasive particles could harm seal 73 over a period of time.

To prevent such sand and sediment deposits within the tub assembly shownin the accompanying figures, a quadrantal baffle plate is positionedbetween the tub walls 54 and 47 and is generally centered over the drainoutlet 49. Its segmental periphery is bolted or otherwise fixed to theinner surface of the cylindrical side wall of tub 44 and is sealed tothat side wall by means of gasket 91. Bafile plate 90 is provided withdownturned leading and trailing edges 92 and 93, respectively, withreference to the water flow past plate 90 during the centrifugalextraction periods. While the trailing edge 93 is downturned from itsperiphery to the centrally located upturned edge 95 terminating a shortdistance from boot seal 73, the leading edge 92 is cut away at 96 overgutter 48 to permit the circulating washing fluid to sweep that gutterarea clean. The downturned edges 92 and 93 conform to the contour of tubbottom 47 except over the gutter area and beneath the centrally locatedupturned edge 95.

In operation, during the agitation periods, when movement of agitator 57separates the impurities from fabrics contained within receptacle 53 thesediment can settle in substantially the same uniform pattern as thatshown in Figure 6 since the entire tub bottom is thoroughly scouredduring the subsequent spin periods. Once the clothes receptacle 53begins to rotate in the centrifugal extraction operation, itscounterclockwise rotation, as viewed in Figures 3 and 8, rotates theentire body of water within the tub assembly in a similar fashion. Therotating body of water then has two major paths of escape from tub 44 asit is pumped from that tub by pump 16. The first of these is defined bythe throat formed by upturned edge 95 with a tub wall 47 and the leadingand trailing edges 92 and 93 while the second is defined by the gutter48 and the cut out portion 96. These paths are designated by the arrowsof Figure 8. While there may not be a fluid tight seal between thedownturned edge 93 and gutter 48, the rotational forces of water reducethe amount of fluid passing into drain 49 in that direction. I

Due to the size of the opening beneath edge 95 in comparison to theopening formed by the cut-away portion 96, the suction produced by pump16 beneath plate 90 draws most of the fluid past the central portionunder edge 95 to purge this central area of any sand accumulated in thatregion while the rotation of the receptacle 53 sweeps the remainingportion of the bottom wall 47 free of any other sediment and allows itto pass along gutter 48 past the cut-away portion 96 and into drain 49.The purging action taking place above and below plate 90 and over thetub bottom wall 47 as shown by the curved arrows of Figure 8 flushes thearea between receptacle 53 and tub 44 to eliminate the sediment problemillustrated by the diagrammatic drawing of Figure 7.

Since the theory of operation of this construction depends upon thepositioning of the mouth of the fluid channel connected to the tubassembly drain, it will be appreciated that while the illustratedconstruction represents the preferred embodiment of this invention, itneed not be limited to the use of a quadrantal baflle plate and does notrepresent the only satisfactory construction which may e made within thespirit of this invention to achieve the desired'purging flow pattern forflushing the tub assembly free from any sand or heavy sediment.

I claim:

1. In a washing machine, a tub adapted to receive fluid and having abottom wall provided with a drain outlet near the periphery thereof, arevoluble clothes receptacle nested within said tub and having aperforate bottom wall spaced from said tub bottom wall to separatesediment particles from fabrics placed within said receptacle, a baflleplate afiixed to said tub and extending from a position over said drainoutlet toward the center area of said tub, said baffle plate cooperatingwith said tub bottom c. r a

a, 1 {,L m, 7 ,.;-v-, V .7 ii/@1115 ei f ent' sh ped r l eii t lbpp niai entra r and ex end n rom. idp en rca to "s r in ut e nd P m m a ommunc tin rwi said drainoutlet for generating a suction Within said chan-1151 to scour said central area free of sedirnentpar ticles P itd0fi$ di 2m l -v r r A -1 f 'e mac i ubad tedto eqe vefl i the peripherythereof, a perforate clothes receptacle nested within said tub andspaced therefrom to separate sediment particles from clothes placedsaidrecept a cle, a baflie plate positioned between s'aid tub and saiden j v na a bQ Ql l pr v d w a d inoutle receptacle, said baffleplatehaving a segmentalportion bla' dz v the r n i fl a d Sea 9 aidh ban hir s Walls s nt e ai tub and fiiqpfir in therewith to define aneffluent passageway haying one end thereof leading to said drain outletand a n op posite open jis f p d inwa am. the Per he y o a dtu r ndmeans for creating a suction within said passageway for flushingaccumulated sediment particles from within said tub by way of saidpassageway. p

'.'3. 'In a'wasl'ng mach'ne, a tub adapted torecieiyejfluid having abottom wall provided witha'drain outlet iiea r the periphery thereof, arevoluble clothes receptacle nestedwithin said tub and having aperforate bottom wall spaced from said tub bottom wall to separatesediment particles from fabrics placed within receptacle, a bafiieplatepositioned between said bottom wal ls and covering, said drain outlet,saidbaflfle plate having a segmental portion fixed and sealed to saidtub and having downturned sides contacting Saidtub bottom wall andcooperating therewith to define an efliuentpassageway for fluid andsediment flushed throughsaid drain outlet, saidba'ffie plate furtherincluding an upturned flange defining an intake to said passagewayadjacent therotatipnal axis, of said receptacle, and means for creatingasuction within said'passageway for flushing fluid and accumulatedsediment particles from said tub through saidpassage- 4 In, a washingmachine, a tubhaying a bottom wall, a drain outlet in said tub, aperforate clothes receptacle nested within and spaced from said tub toseparate sedimerit particles from clothes placediwithin said clothesreceptacle, revoluble shaft means, connected to said ,rec epta'cleandextending through said tub bottornwall for rotation of said receptaclewithin said tub, amernber positioned between said tub and saidreceptacle, said member being connected to said tubadjacent said drainoutlet and extending from a positionover saiddrain outlet inwardlytoward said shaft means to cooperate with said tub in forming anefiluent passageway having an inlet opening adjacent said shaft meansfor removal of fluids from said tub during the rotation of said clothesreceptacle by said shaft means, and means for applying a suction to saiddrain outlet for scouring said tub free of sediment particlesaccumulated on said tub bottom wall adjacent said shaft means.

5.,,In, a,;washing machine a tub adapted to..containwashingifluidandhaving a cylindrical sidewallanda bottom .Wall joinedtosaid sidewall, a drain outlet-in said tub adjacent the junction of saidtub.walls, aclothes receptacle nested within said tub..and.having.aperforate bottom wall spaced from said tub bottom wall to separatesediment particles from'fabrics placedrwithin-saidclothes receptacle,revoluble. ,shaft means connected to said clothes receptacleandiextending through said bottom wall for rotation of said receptaclewithin said tub, a fluid deflector member connected to said tub andpositioned over said ,drainoutlet between said tub and said receptacle,said deflectorhaving marginal portions depending toward said tub bottomwall to form withsaid tub a waterpassageway havingoneend opening towardsaid shaft means and an opposite, end abutting said side wall over saiddrain outlet, and pump means .for creating assuction in said drain.outlet for channeling fluid through said passageway and out said drainoutlet during the rotation of said basket by; said shaft means to scoursaid tub: bottom wallfree of accumulated sediment particlesw a 6.,In awashing machine,-.a tubt'adapted to contain washing fluid and having acylindrical side wall and'a bottom wall joined .to' said side wall, :adrainoutlet in said tub adjacent the'junction of said tub walls,alclothes receptacle nested .within said tubv and having aperforatebottom wall spaced from: said tub bottom wall to separate particles fromfabrics placed within said clothes receptacle, revoluble shaftmeansconnected to' said clothesreceptacle and extending through said tubbottom wall'for rotation of said receptacle within said tub, a fluiddeflectonrnem- 'ber connected to saidtubr and positioned over said drainoutlet between said tub and said receptacle, said deflector havingmarginal portions dependingtoward said tub bottom wall to form a waterpassageway having one end opening toward said shaft means and anopposite 'end abutting said side wall over said tub.outlet, said-Joneend providing the primary fluid intake into said passageway, anauxiliary fluid intake opening intone of said marginal portionsprovidinga secondary flow? path into saidpassageway, and pump means forcreatingfa suction in said drain outlet for channeling fluid. throughsaid passageway and out said drain outletduring rotation of said basketby said shaft means to scour said tub bottom wall free of accumulatedsediment particles.

References Cited in the file of patent UNITED srAras PATENTS:

Thomas Aug. 1 3, 1929

